CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - MARCH 28: Detroit Tigers manager A.J. Hinch #14 looks on before the Opening Day game against the Chicago White Sox at Guaranteed Rate Field on March 28, 2024 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Quinn Harris/Getty Images)
The Detroit Tigers and Minnesota Twins are set to play a four-game series this weekend, with a change in the schedule due to a postponement of the Thursday afternoon game. The series between Tigers and Twins will now start on Friday night, followed by a doubleheader on Saturday afternoon, and concluding on Sunday afternoon.
Detroit Tigers: Homestand and Pitching Staff
During an eight-game homestand, Detroit will face the defending World Series champion Texas Rangers. Despite having an off-day on Wednesday, the Tigers’ pitching staff will be busy over the next two weeks with 14 games scheduled in 13 days.
Detroit Tigers: Season Start and Division Rivals
The Twins, who have an off-day on Thursday, will host Detroit next weekend. Last season, the Tigers had a 35-17 record against division rivals Twins, Cleveland Guardians, Kansas City Royals, and Chicago White Sox, finishing in second place. Detroit started this season with a three-game road sweep of the White Sox.
Although Skubal failed to maintain a three-run lead in the home opener against Oakland, he ultimately helped the Tigers secure a 5-4 victory. He was charged with four runs on four hits in 6 1/3 innings. Throughout his career, Skubal has made nine starts against the Twins, holding a record of 2-3 with a 3.91 ERA.
Pablo Lopez: Pitching Performance
It is probable that he will face off against Pablo Lopez (1-1, 2.84) in his third start. Lopez allowed only one run in seven innings against Kansas City in his first start of the season, but gave up four runs (three earned) in 5 2/3 innings against Cleveland last Thursday.
Team Morale and Recent Performances
“It’s big to stop the skid like that,” said outfielder Kerry Carpenter, who delivered the tiebreaking hit. “It gives us a little more confidence going into the off day ahead of the series against the division champs.”
Minnesota ended a four-game losing streak with a 3-2 victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers on Wednesday. The Twins’ offense has been struggling, but there are signs of improvement. In the final game of a three-game series, Minnesota managed to get six hits and draw five walks.
Leadoff hitter Edouard Julien, who had only three hits entering the game, hit a pair of solo homers and also scored the team’s other run.
“I just knew that if I kept being positive, it’s going to come,” Julien said. “I just don’t feel like I’d hit like that for a while and I have confidence in myself and I knew at some point I was going to start hitting.”
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